Scan barcode
sarahmelc's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
crystine124's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mama_maleficent's review
3.0
I think I want to say 3.5. I found the story gripping, but a few pieces seemed unnecessary. Like when you want 15 minutes cut from a movie. Overall, a great read that kept me up late too many nights.
eavers's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
magyklyxdelish's review against another edition
3.0
This is a story about a girl who is kidnapped and how her family struggles to go on afterwards.
This was definitely more literary than thriller. The thriller part doesn’t really come until the last 100 pages or so. It was very slow moving up until then. What saved it from being too slow was the short chapters.
My biggest complaint with this book is the writing. At first I was okay with the author referring to main characters as “the boy”, “the man”, “the woman” or “the girl” but after a while it just became really annoying. I’m okay with stories that have multiple perspectives however with almost every chapter you have to read 2-4 sentences to find out whose perspective it’s being told from. Eventually I got used to this but again it was really annoying. One minor little complaint...why do all the men have to smoke in every chapter? I swear, if you take a shot every time the author writes about a character smoking you’ll be drunk before you reach part 2.
The shining light in this book is Caitlin and she’s what kept it from being a lower score. I love reading about strong female characters and I love Caitlin’s strength and will to survive. I only wish this story had more chapters focused on her instead of men smoking.
Overall, I liked the plot and the last 100 pages were really good, however due to the frustrating writing I wouldn’t read it again. I would only read this if you’re okay with a book that’s mostly centered on family drama with the thriller scenes coming in at the end. If you’re going into this expecting just a straight up thriller, you will end up disappointed or DNFing before you get to the thriller section.
This was definitely more literary than thriller. The thriller part doesn’t really come until the last 100 pages or so. It was very slow moving up until then. What saved it from being too slow was the short chapters.
My biggest complaint with this book is the writing. At first I was okay with the author referring to main characters as “the boy”, “the man”, “the woman” or “the girl” but after a while it just became really annoying. I’m okay with stories that have multiple perspectives however with almost every chapter you have to read 2-4 sentences to find out whose perspective it’s being told from. Eventually I got used to this but again it was really annoying. One minor little complaint...why do all the men have to smoke in every chapter? I swear, if you take a shot every time the author writes about a character smoking you’ll be drunk before you reach part 2.
The shining light in this book is Caitlin and she’s what kept it from being a lower score. I love reading about strong female characters and I love Caitlin’s strength and will to survive. I only wish this story had more chapters focused on her instead of men smoking.
Overall, I liked the plot and the last 100 pages were really good, however due to the frustrating writing I wouldn’t read it again. I would only read this if you’re okay with a book that’s mostly centered on family drama with the thriller scenes coming in at the end. If you’re going into this expecting just a straight up thriller, you will end up disappointed or DNFing before you get to the thriller section.
billymac1962's review against another edition
5.0
Descent was on my to-read list for quite a while. The reason for this is unfortunate, and that is, once again, due to me being stymied by a mediocre average rating. Anytime I would look at it and scan reviews, I'd balk at the words lyrical, literary, and poetic (that one's a killer) being present, and I would move on to something else. Each time the novel becoming more in danger of getting dropped off my list.
But, I'm getting better at this. I am beginning to tell myself that I put it on my to-read list for a reason. It's worth noting here that I have a couple of lists going. One on my phone that lists those authors and books that are worth further consideration, and my Goodreads list here, in which every novel is there because of a very strong push I had from one place or another. So I kept telling myself that other opinions shouldn't matter. I need to give it a shot (when I'm ready) because there was obviously something there.
Now about that being ready part: I read Descent off the heels of a YA novel, a genre I have little interest in, but was convinced by a podcast that that novel would be different (it wasn't). In fact, the writing in that novel was so dumbed down that I felt insulted as a reader, and would have been even if I was of YA age, whatever that is, presumably anywhere over 18.
So I looked at Descent. Yes, this would be the absolutely perfect time to appreciate a lyrical, literary, or even poeti - NO. I'm drawing the line there. No poetic prose. NO.
I downloaded the sample to my Kindle and began.
And my brain lit up.
Whew. Okay, here's the thing. Those who balk at the so-called literary, lyrical novels should know there is nothing to fear here. I probably have the least amount of tolerance for purply prose, and find that for the most part novels with this quality tend to buckle under their own weight. But the points in which Descent shows these qualities, it is simply a matter of magnificent writing. And there is plenty of quick dialogue to even things out. And there's the enticing plotline of a family whose daughter goes missing in the Rocky Mountains.
Tim Johnston takes his time with this story. There is a lot of branching out and this is something that seems to have annoyed some readers. Not me. Perhaps if this was bloated out to 600 pages, sure I'd take issue with that. But honestly, the amount of story, the cast of characters, the...redemption of some, I'm astounded that all of this was packed into 370 pages.
I'm having a really hard time writing a review that doesn't sound like I'm making excuses for the writing. This isn't my intent.
Let me just say this: Descent is very well done. The writing, at times is glorious, and will light up your mind the way a good book should. The story is a terrifying one, at times wrought with melancholy (how could it not be?), and shouldn't be missed by anyone who enjoys the thriller/suspense genre. There's something for everyone here.
This will be one of my top reads of the year for sure, and I'm looking forward to his next, The Current, soon.
But, I'm getting better at this. I am beginning to tell myself that I put it on my to-read list for a reason. It's worth noting here that I have a couple of lists going. One on my phone that lists those authors and books that are worth further consideration, and my Goodreads list here, in which every novel is there because of a very strong push I had from one place or another. So I kept telling myself that other opinions shouldn't matter. I need to give it a shot (when I'm ready) because there was obviously something there.
Now about that being ready part: I read Descent off the heels of a YA novel, a genre I have little interest in, but was convinced by a podcast that that novel would be different (it wasn't). In fact, the writing in that novel was so dumbed down that I felt insulted as a reader, and would have been even if I was of YA age, whatever that is, presumably anywhere over 18.
So I looked at Descent. Yes, this would be the absolutely perfect time to appreciate a lyrical, literary, or even poeti - NO. I'm drawing the line there. No poetic prose. NO.
I downloaded the sample to my Kindle and began.
And my brain lit up.
Whew. Okay, here's the thing. Those who balk at the so-called literary, lyrical novels should know there is nothing to fear here. I probably have the least amount of tolerance for purply prose, and find that for the most part novels with this quality tend to buckle under their own weight. But the points in which Descent shows these qualities, it is simply a matter of magnificent writing. And there is plenty of quick dialogue to even things out. And there's the enticing plotline of a family whose daughter goes missing in the Rocky Mountains.
Tim Johnston takes his time with this story. There is a lot of branching out and this is something that seems to have annoyed some readers. Not me. Perhaps if this was bloated out to 600 pages, sure I'd take issue with that. But honestly, the amount of story, the cast of characters, the...redemption of some, I'm astounded that all of this was packed into 370 pages.
I'm having a really hard time writing a review that doesn't sound like I'm making excuses for the writing. This isn't my intent.
Let me just say this: Descent is very well done. The writing, at times is glorious, and will light up your mind the way a good book should. The story is a terrifying one, at times wrought with melancholy (how could it not be?), and shouldn't be missed by anyone who enjoys the thriller/suspense genre. There's something for everyone here.
This will be one of my top reads of the year for sure, and I'm looking forward to his next, The Current, soon.
brimckoy's review
4.0
I discovered this book in the Summer Reading Guide from Modern Mrs Darcy! It was listed next to The Guide (which I am reading now) as “For Fans Of.” This book immediately had me from the beginning with the mysterious disappearance of a family’s daughter while vacationing in Colorado. Throughout the whole book I was on the edge of my seat as the mystery unfolded in new and crazy ways.
Content warning: there are a handful of scenes with truly traumatic events.
What Surprised Me Most: That I had not heard of this book before. It came out in 2015 and mystery/thriller books are my favorite fiction genre.
Content warning: there are a handful of scenes with truly traumatic events.
What Surprised Me Most: That I had not heard of this book before. It came out in 2015 and mystery/thriller books are my favorite fiction genre.
mcearl12's review
5.0
This was quite simply an excellent book. Page-turner, great style and prose...all-around great read.
geoffreylittle's review
2.0
The start is especially strong, and it's no secret that Johnson is a gifted writer. However, the story takes on a melodramatic tedium early and often. The married couple, the mother and father, are just not interesting -- and just keep going at it with each other. Oh man. I expect more inventive plottyness with a mystery-thriller. I just felt like I was watching a soap opera unfold after a point.